§ MR. CRAWFORDasked the honourable and gallant Member for Truro, as Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, If he can state for what purpose excavations are now being made on the vacant land of the Thames Embankment contiguous to the Metropolitan District Railway Station at Westminster Bridge; whether it is proposed to erect any building on such site; and, whether the erection of any such building will meet with the approval of the Board of Works?
COLONEL HOGGsaid, he believed the excavations which were being made on the spot mentioned by the hon. Gentleman were for the purpose of erecting a club, which was to be called the St. Stephen's Club. The Metropolitan Board disapproved any erection on the land in question, and they had done all in their power to prevent it. It was their wish that the line of frontage should have been, if possible, so regulated that the view of the Clock Tower should not be intercepted; but the decision of the Board had been overruled on an appeal to the Courts of Law, and they had no alternative but to allow the building in question to proceed.
§ MR. CRAWFORDBy whom was the land sold on which the Club was to be erected?
COLONEL HOGGsaid, the land in question belonged to the Metropolitan District Railway, and it was acquired, he believed, in the usual manner by purchase.
§ Afterwards—
§ MR. CRAWFORDasked the hon. Member for Truro, By whom the transfer of land at Westminster Bridge was made to the Metropolitan District Railway Com- 793 pany; what was the value paid for it; and whether the amount went in diminution of the cost of the Thames Embankment?
COLONEL HOGGsaid, that, as far as he was aware, the Metropolitan District Railway Company purchased the land from a tavern near the spot; but having had no Notice of the Question, he was not quite certain from whom the freehold had been purchased.